Write for Us

• Authentic Grit: Stories that delve into the many complexities of aging will fit right in with our passion to explore life's richness where age is truly just a number.

• Untamed Passion: Whether it's a coming-of-age story of a young writer discovering their voice and exploring the infinite possibilities of aging in a work of fiction, or a “mature” author with ideas they've been holding back for decades, we crave narratives fueled by passion and purpose that challenge the expectations of aging (think A Man Called Ove or Water for Elephants).

• Masterful Storytelling: Strong writing is paramount. Show us your ability to weave captivating characters, compelling plots, and prose that leaves a lasting impression. 

• Hard to Place Genres: We enjoy collections of short fiction, essays, or poetry which are typically difficult to place with a mainstream publisher. Memoirs that share a compelling lesson and are relevant to a diverse audience in the 21st century are encouraged. Innovative, mixed-genre books filled with your personality will excite us, too! (think Shaking Off Gravity by Lucinda Shirley) 

• A Print-Ready Manuscript: Your writing and formatting should be as perfect as you’d like to see it in print. If you need paid editing and/or proofreading support, we'll let you know. Do not send us your manuscript until we ask for it.

• AI: If we smell even a whiff of AI in what you’re calling your writing, it's a delete. Outlining assistance is okay, of course. Full copy AI, no way.

• Superficial Charm: Forget saccharine tales and predictable storylines. We're looking for stories that challenge, engage, and stay with the reader long after the last page.

• Intolerance: There's no room for hate speech or discrimination on our shelves. We champion diverse voices and perspectives that enrich the literary landscape and our world. 

• Excessive Violence and Gore: While some violent or disturbing elements might be appropriate depending on the genre and context, we're not seeking stories that rely heavily on graphic depictions of violence or excessive gore. There are publishers who look specifically for thrillers and horror; please seek them out instead.

• Erotica: Our niche publishing focus is on literary fiction and narrative nonfiction, so erotica, romance, or overly graphic sexual content would not be a good fit for Pounce Pot Publishing. We would, however, consider a manuscript (or blog post) specifically about "mature" sexuality and dating. 

• Genre Fiction Limitations: While we're open to various genres, including mixed-genres, genres with very specific subgenre expectations (like high fantasy with intricate magic systems) will be a better fit for a different press. Genre-bending is okay.

• Hate Speech and Discrimination: It’s worth repeating: we have zero room for intolerance of any kind. We welcome LGBTQ+ voices and writers of all races and nationalities. Of course we welcome all...because we’re not jerks. You shouldn't be either. If you are, come back when you're not. 

A Brief Introduction: A concise message outlining your work, your background,
and any previous publications is key. Don't worry if you're an emerging writer (of any age) – your passion counts. Be real. 

Focus on Introducing Yourself: We want to get to know you and find out about
what and why you're writing. Please keep your manuscript until we ask for it. 

The Gateway: Please fill out the contact form below.

Response Time: We understand the anxiety of waiting. As a small press, we dedicate time to each submission. You'll receive a response from us within 60 days, even if it's just an update. We also accept simultaneous submissions, but please let us know if your piece is accepted elsewhere. Remember to keep your manuscript until we ask for it. 

N very B: We cannot accept unsolicited manuscripts in the body of an email or attached to an email.